CAREC Institute Participates in 5th Consultative Forum of Regional Cooperation Organizations in the OIC Region
The CAREC Institute participated in the 5th Consultative Forum of Regional Cooperation Organizations (RCOs) in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Region, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from October 2 to 3, 2025. The event was co-organized by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT), and brought together representatives from regional and international organizations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), the African Union Commission, and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The Forum aimed to strengthen partnerships and promote sustainable growth within the OIC framework.
Discussions during the Forum focused on key issues such as the interaction between international and regional investment laws, trade barriers and their impact on investment, connectivity gaps, and digital approaches to enhancing regional integration.
Dr. Asif Razzaq, Senior Research Specialist at the CAREC Institute, participated as a panelist in the session “The Role of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in Attracting FDI through Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs).” He shared insights from the Institute’s ongoing research on the Renewable Energy Investment Ecosystem and Green Investment Promotion in Central Asia. Dr. Razzaq emphasized that enhanced regional cooperation and institutional capacity building for IPAs are crucial for unlocking the potential of PPP-driven FDI in renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. He also highlighted the importance of data-driven investment mapping and digital investor services in improving regional competitiveness and transparency.
Through its active participation, the CAREC Institute reaffirmed its commitment to advancing regional cooperation, policy research, and capacity building in support of inclusive and sustainable development across the CAREC region.